Its a long shot, but does anyone know how far from Atocha train station to the Indian Embassy.
Many thanks.

Not walking distance but not far either. I would guess approx 5-6 euro taxi.Most embassies are in same area behind the Castellana.Find the address then use google maps to see how far it is. Or go to paginasamarillas.es and use the callejero street map tool

The Indian embassy is in Calle Pio XII, which is not the usual area for embassies. Its some distance from Atocha station, being in the northern limits of the city. I would guess its at least 3 to 4 kilometres. Certainly too far to walk in the Madrid heat!
iant

Sorry, Ian, but I think my answer stands. It IS where a lot of the embassies are - just that this area covers a lot of ground. The Indian one is still behind Castellana, in fact the first major parallel road to the right. From Atocha, I'd still say he could do it for around 6€, maybe a bit more. Otherwise, take line one to Plaza Castilla, then change to line 9 (purple is it?) and I think only a few stops will get you to Pio XII. Personally, I'd take a taxi. Or at a push a Cercanias to Charmatin or even Nuevos Ministerios then jump in a cab. I've got a feeling that if he takes the 27 bus up the Castellana, and jumps of anywhere on route from Cibeles upwards there is a bus that goes up Pio XII - the 137 and 237????? My memory is bad but it goes from Chamartin down to Sol via Pio XII

Sorry Jon, didn't mean to tread on your corns, its just that from what's generally considered the principal area for embassies in Madrid (eg USA, GB, Australia, etc) the distance to Pio XII 36 is about 5 k. I was only trying to help!
iant

The Bus I was thinking of is the 150 which goes up the Castellana, turns off at the Bernabau and goes through the area behind there until you get to Principe XII. Had to catch that four times a week for about two bloody years - you'd think I'd remember the number without having to look it up!!
Best bet, though is that when he gets off at Atocha, make his way over to the Cercanias lines that go up to Chamartin practically every couple of minutes - short three stop journey. Come out of there and jump in Taxi. From there it will cost around 3€ at a guess.

Youve all been so helpful, just a few more questions, remember i dont know Madrid at all.
If i need to, 10 euro should well cover a taxi to the Indian Embassy?.
If i need to stay overnight to get my visa, any cheap hostels, near the train station?.
Anyone know the time (aprox) of trains, Malaga to Madrid, i need to be at the Indian Embassy at about 8 am.
Thanks again.
If i were to get into Madrid early, could i walk to the Embassy in about 1 hour?.
Ta

€10 more than enough

From Malaga leaving at 6.40, the earliest you'll get in 9.32. Generally the journey time is between 2 1/2 hours (rush hour express) to 3 hours. Check timetable here: http://horarios.renfe.es/hir/index.j...DD&SF=NaN&ID=i
Worth looking at are the flights offered by Spanair and Air Europa (Iberia also do some but are usually more expensive). The train return ticket is going to be in the region of €110-120-ish. I've seen return flights for around €130 with taxes and other costs all included. Try these people - prices are varying constantly so all depends when you want to go and how soon you book it. www.muchoviaje.com

You can use that site for hotels as well. As you can see here http://hoteles.muchoviaje.com/Hotele...sal=2008-08-06 there are plenty in the 40-50€ bracket. Lastminute.com is also good as is atrapalo.com.


Forget walking. Seriously. Not worth it. If you want to take your time and see a bit of the city on your journey, then take the 150 bus. Takes you through the heart of the city, past Recoletos, Plaza Colon, Nuevos Ministerios and the Bernabau

Good stuff from Fortaleza.
For reasonable accomodation try also hoteles.com under the heading "hoteles cerca de atocha".
iant

I now realise, if i can get into Madrid centre, no problem getting a taxi.
Just got a shock, at the train prices, i will fly for sure.
Another question, Madrid airport to city centre, train or bus.
Taxis from airports are usualy very expensive.
Thanks

There is a metro connection from terminals 4 and 2 of Madrid airport, which will take you to Nuevos Ministerios, from where your best bet is a taxi to the embassy in Pio XII.
iant

The things you have to do to get a visa for Goa